Legionnaires Meet Post's Namesake

By Marta E. Kane

Members of the Farmingdale American Legion recently met with the family of Hugh C. Newman, after whom the post was named. The Hugh C. Newman III Memorial Post 449 was formed last summer and was named after lifelong Farmingdale resident Newman, a highly decorated Vietnam veteran and firefighter. The post selected Newman because he was so well-known and respected in the community.

Shown at a recent post meeting, where members met with the family of Hugh C. Newman, are Farmingdale Village Trustee Michael Kelly, Representative for Executive Tom Suozzi Dave Mejias, Farmingdale Fire Department Chief Scott Lorenzen, Assemblyman Steve Labriola, Past County Commander of the American Legion John Marino, wife Charlene Newman, American Legion Post 449 Commander James Colwell, Vice Chairman of the National Legislative Council of the American Legion John Patrick Tipping, Oyster Bay Town Supervisor John Venditto, First Assistant Fire Chief Richard Tortoso, Village Mayor Joseph Trudden and Village Trustees Marialyce Denauski and Vincent Sotis. Photo by Ed Cox

Post members hope that the organization will continue to grow and are reaching out to local veterans to join. Recently installed officers include Commander Jim Colwell, First Vice Commander Harry Newton, Third Vice Commander Daniel Gomez, Adjunct Arthur Pirozzi Jr., Sgt-at-Arms Marco A. Walker Sr. and Chaplin Joe Roche.

Residents interested in joining the post are invited to come down to one of the meetings, which are held the second Tuesday of each month at the community center at Ellsworth Allen Park on Motor Avenue in Farmingdale. The post is not restricted to Farmingdale residents but is open to anybody interested. In fact, recent members include residents from communities such as Massapequa, Bellmore and Amityville.

Those eligible to join the Legion must have served during the following dates: World War II (Dec. 7, 1941 to Dec. 31, 1945); Korean War (June 25, 1950 to Jan. 31, 1955); Vietnam War (Feb. 28, 1961 to May 7, 1975); Lebanon and Grenada Action (Aug. 24, 1982 to July 31, 1984); Panama Action (Dec. 20, 1989 to Jan. 31, 1990); Persian Gulf Action (Aug. 2, 1990 to present day).

For more information about the post, residents may call PCC John Marino at 293-4878 or John Tipping at 822-9355.